Justin Townes Earle - 'Midnight at the Movies'

Justin Townes Earle's second album on Bloodshot Records, Midnight at the Movies delivers more of the new rootsy goodness we saw from his last disc, The Good Life. Where Good Life saw Earle resurrecting and re-working songs from a classic country angle, Midnight sees him taking a decidedly more folk and alt-country direction, even singing of folk legends like the story of John Henry.

Following the Narrative Reel

Much like the artists whose names have been lent to his own, Justin Townes Earle has a knack for pulling together a number of disparate elements of Americana. From the classic country-style croon of tunes like "What I Mean to You" (purchase/download) to the alt-country tambour of "Can't Hardly Wait" (purchase/download) (two of the disc's finest tracks), it's clear that Earle has a gift for interpreting the traditions from whence he came.

In fact, there are so many styles represented on this disc, it's almost remarkable that they all make sense together. But, like a collection of scenes strung together to tell a greater story, Midnight at the Movies delivers.

Highlights and the Bottom Line

In addition to the aforementioned highlights, "Mama's Eyes" (purchase/download) is a tremendous self-reflecting narrative that plays out a confession. Nailing such intimate truth about life and one's self without sounding schmaltzy or forced is a feat, but Earle musters the honesty without making the listener uncomfortable.

"Poor Fool" (purchase/download) is a tongue-in-cheek grin of a tune, while "Black Eyed Suzy" (purchase/download) is a delicious trotting romp and "Halfway to Jackson" (purchase/download) is an excellent heart-string-tugging blues tune. No matter what style he's tackling, Earle delivers his songs with a rare sincerity and grace. While most artists grit their teeth through a sophomore effort (that all-too-often cursed thing), Earle seems to have approached his with a fearlessness that is nothing if not admirable and impressive. The result, of course, is another set of great songs. Here's to album number three!